Podiatry Students

Once you become a podiatric medical school student, below are some helpful guidelines for being a good podiatry student. This included things to consider during the 4 years (with the mindset of always looking a head to residency) and information specifically directed at the externship process and match.

Some general advice includes:

Do well in school. (Obviously)

Get exposed.

Rotations, conferences, etc.

Networking. (3rd-4th year)

Be involved.

Societies, research, community service, etc.

Visit programs (3rd year).

Pass boards. (Obviously, and a MUST)

Learn more about yourself.

What is the end game? How can I get there? What can I do now to reach my goal?

Want to learn more about Podiatry School ? Many students have created their own websites, blogs, and social media channels.

Check out the Pre-Podiatry School section (here) for some of these resources that might also be helpful while IN podiatry school.​

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Many social media accounts are popping up discussing life as a podiatry students, tips for applying, etc. Some of these include:

​Website "giving an introduction to podiatry and the process for students interested in podiatry" with information on the site including - explanation of podiatry; links to all of the US podiatry schools; explanation of the application process; MISC information.

A youtube channel dedicated to educating individuals about the field and also provides advice to undergrads/current medical students, managed by CSPM students Diksha Mohapatra and Yona. Their mission states - "Hello, everyone! The field of podiatry sometimes elicits confusion and misconception in individuals who are unfamiliar with this health profession. We sometimes find ourselves explaining what this field entails, and by doing so, were motivated to elaborate on what the podiatric field is about in a video. We hope this video inspires those who are considering going into the health field, especially those who are passionate and determined to work on the lower extremities. In addition, we hope to help educate the general public about whom to seek when encountering lower extremity concerns."

Board Examination

Part 3 = MS-4 / variable - this exam must be completed prior to graduating residency. However, some states where you may do your residency require it to be completed and passed prior to starting residency (ex. Pennsylvania). Check with your state of residency rules to know where you fall.

It is recommended to take this exam during the end of MS-4 since the knowledge will be "fresher" and you will have time to study, versus trying to study during residency.

Extra-Curricular endeavors

​ When it comes to staying involved, understand that you do not need to push yourself in the first few months. Grades always come first, as you probably remember from college. Keep in mind that, if you are still trying to stay afloat with classes, get acquainted with the medical school lifestyle first and foremost. Until you feel prepared, at the very least, attend any organization meetings (speakers/workshops) that only require your participation during the meeting. As first-year podiatric medical students, it can be easy to sometimes lose your goal/purpose when your head is constantly in the books, so these organizations are effective reminders and can get you motivated again. Additionally, it is helpful to learn a few techniques with the help of our upperclassmen at the meetings, as we are studying to be specialists, so it’s never too early. As far as community service goes, don’t let medicine keep you from participating in other community service that interests you. You still want to remain an authentic, all-rounded person, because your goal is to become a wholesome physician for your patients. If your passion is to help a certain community, then go ahead and do so.

Conferences

Local

State Meetings - Each state typically holds a yearly meeting that may be free to heavily discounted for podiatry students.

Residency Program Academics - Residency programs often hold weekly to monthly academic related meetings that students are often welcome to. While a first or second year student may not be up to that education level yet, attending may spark ideas for (1) research, (2) the program and if it is/not one you may be interested in externing at (this is a good way to start figuring out what you may/not want in a program to help with the externship choosing process), (3) self-study to get ahead and learn about topics above your level. This meetings become even more important (and educationally fulfilling) for third and four year students for the aforementioned reasons.

ACFAS is a national association tailored for educating and exploring different aspects of quality podiatric care. Over 1,800 foot and ankle surgeons and physicians attend the annual conference. Seminars and other activities are scheduled for sharing and discussing the latest technology and surgical protocols for diagnosing various conditions. In addition, over 140 companies exhibit their services and products, providing an interactive exposure to future devices that will help with providing the best care as possible. There are socials that provide the opportunity for students, residents, and resident directors to network and exchange ideas.

TheDPMJourney has a video of their experience from the ACFAS ASC 2019 which can be viewed here.

APMA is a national conference where health care professionals, mainly foot and ankle physicians, come together to help teach, educate, and expand community relationships. The conference includes many programs ranging from wound care all the way to biomechanics.

Research

Podiatry at the moment is in need of more clinicians participating in research specific to our field. Now, with that being said, it may be a little challenging, depending on certain circumstances at your respective schools, to find opportunities. Look to upperclassmen for direction and also speak to faculty. You may have to go through several professors to begin to even consider options. Do not be afraid to reach out to upperclassmen about working under them or asking them how they began. With research, it is often all about you yourself taking the initiative.

Some avenues to find research at your school include:

Asking upperclassmen who are currently performing research to joint their project / take it over (if needed) upon graduation

Asking an attending / professor who is known to widely publish.

Discussing projects in clinic / modules with others, formulating your own project with those like-minded to you (i.e., research-minded)

Does your school have one of the following programs that lends themselves to research? - Wound Care Center; Gait Study Lab?

Does your school have an affiliation with a residency or is there a local residency? Reach out - residents often have a research component to their educational training and are always in need of help.

Is there a local community physician who publishes? Reach out to them.

Community Service / Mission Trips

If you have a week or two off during school, and would like to vacation but also push yourself in a clinical setting, joining a medical mission trip through an organization is a good idea. If you are interested in what an experience like that entails, be on the lookout for TheDPMJourney’s Vlog on their YouTube channel.

Reach out to local organizations, clinics, medical schools, or business that may be related to podiatry to see if they have an interest in collaborating on a service project. Often running stores (shoe collection / donation drives) and races (offering your time at the first aid / medical tent) are great places to start.

Externships

Externships in podiatric medical school are the equivalent to the "Sub-I / Sub-Internship" that medical students participate in. It is a series of clinical rotations starting either the end of the third-year or fourth-year of podiatry school which takes place at a different hospitals (residency programs) than the student is interested in performing their residency training at. Each podiatric school factors in these months into their academic schedule, offering anywhere between 5-8 months of externship opportunities. If more visits are necessary, the student must do this on their own time, usually during a vacation, and are arranged outside of the externship match process.

When you are considering residency programs (and externship choices), think what you want. This means...

AND...Geographic location of your life post-residency (often people settle near by residency location due to connections made during this time)

Thoughts about possible fellowship? (Can determine this later as well)

While you are on your externships...

Take and consider each one individually.

Do not directly compare. Especially aloud.

Pros/Cons list

​Does it have what you are looking for?

Observe EVERYTHING (big AND little moments)

Send “Thank You” notes to attendings (± residents) worked with.

Re-visit places of interest (e.g., day, academics, etc).

Externships / Match Considerations: (more info to come here!)

Where to pick a externship

What to know

How to act

What to study

The end of month presentation

How to rank/match

Educational Resources

Here are a list of various educational resources for those interested in podiatry or those in podiatry school. Some of this is even helpful to review pre-podiatry school or during your time in school to stay ahead of the game.

A lot of educational resources can be found here on my website that are good for students (in addition to residents and practitioners).